FORMER Newcastle United and Northern Ireland midfielder Tommy Cassidy has died at the age of 73, the Magpies have announced.
Belfast-born Cassidy, who had been living with Alzheimer’s disease, was part of the side which reached the finals of the 1974 FA Cup and the 1976 League Cup and won 24 caps for his country.
A post on Newcastle’s official X account said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former midfielder Tommy Cassidy at the age of 73.
“The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with his family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace, Tommy.”
Cassidy, a regular attendee at the club’s Memory Cafe, a drop-in session at St James’ Park for those living with life-changing memory loss illnesses, joined the Magpies from Glentoran in October 1970 and went on to make 239 appearances over a ten-year stay before spells with Burnley and APOEL in Cyprus.
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At international level, a man who once roomed with George Best played as a substitute in Northern Ireland’s famous 1-0 1982 World Cup finals victory over Spain.
On retirement, he moved into management with APOEL, Gateshead, Glentoran, Ards Sligo Rovers, Workington, Newcastle Blue Star, Whitby Town and Blyth Spartans.
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